Costa Tropical (Costa Granada)
With a fabulous micro climate that gives it more than 320 days of sunshine a year, mountains, long beaches and fertile land many say the Costa Tropical is an area that has truly been blessed. Quieter and more Spanish than its neighbour the Costa del Sol, the Costa Tropical coast has three main towns, offering a range of activities, locales and experiences. The most eastern of the three, Motril is a bustling port and modern day Spanish town with numerous shops and businesses, the area's main hospital and seven different beaches. Salobreña is smaller, prettier and more traditional, a whitewashed village topped by a Moorish castle, popular with Spanish and foreign tourists alike. Almuñecar -the most western of the three Costa Tropical towns - caters for tourists, expats and locals with water sports, numerous restaurants and bars serving a variety of cuisines, a water park and a diverse range of shops. Inland the Costa Tropical boasts a good number of traditional villages and towns, as well as the world famous city of Granada, now designated a World Heritage site of importance.Successive civilizations have left their mark on the Costa Tropical giving a wealth of history to explore. Signs of the Phoenicians, the Romans, the Moors and the Catholics can be found including a wealth of Moorish architecture, water systems, cuisine and words that still influence the region today. Best know is Granada's stunning Moorish jewel - the Alhambra - which draws people from all of the world to the city and it’s treasures. In addition to Granada’s historical wealth, the Costa Tropical has other less well known monuments including the remains of the Roman town in Almuñécar and Velez Malaga's and Salobreña's stunning Moorish castles.
Popular in the summer for it long days of sunshine and many clean beaches, the Costa Tropical region is also becoming better known for winter breaks. Those in the know realise they can go skiing in the Alpujarran mountains yet be sunbathing on a beach just an hour's drive away. The local cuisine is also a draw to the area, as the Costa Tropical offers a wealth of Mediterranean flavours; from the free tapas available in most bars in the region to bigger more elaborate dishes such as choto al ajillo (young piglet or goat in garlic sauce) and migas y sardinas (freshly cooked sardines with soft fried breadcrumbs. The food is complemented by local wines from the nearby vineyards, particularly those in Itrabo, Rubite and the towns of the Lower Alpujarras which are renowned for their excellent vintages.
